The newest member of Highland Council has promised ‘openness and honesty’ after securing a by-election victory.
Independent Duncan McDonald was chosen as councillor for ward 19, Inverness South at stage 8 of the contest.
He polled 730 votes from a total of 3,305. The turnout was 26.3%.
By-election followed councillor’s resignation
The by-election was conducted under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system.
It was held following the resignation of Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor Colin Aitken.
He was one of four councillors representing ward 19 on the authority.
Mr McDonald now joins councillors Ken Gowans (SNP), Duncan Macpherson (Highland Alliance) and Andrew Sinclair (Scottish Conservative and Unionist).
The other candidates were –
- Jonathan Chartier (Scottish Liberal Democrats) – 652 votes
- Jimmy Duncan (Alba Party)- 107
- Ryan Forbes (Scottish Conservatives) – 533
- Andrew Macdonald (Sovereignty) -41
- Gordon Shanks (SNP) – 641
- Arun Sharma (Scottish Greens) – 237
- Ron Stevenson (Scottish Labour) – 364
Voting took place on Thursday and the count was held at the council’s headquarters in Inverness today.
Pleased but shocked
Mr McDonald said he was “pleased but shocked” at the win.
Asked what helped secure his victory, he said: “I’m hoping it was because I was honest. That’s what I want, openness and honesty.
“That’s what I try to portray and that’s what I told people on the doorstep.
“They reacted to that and voted for me.”
He added: “I’m looking forward to getting involved in the council.
“Not everyone knows everything and not everyone has answers to everything.
“I’ll just find my feet for the first period and see how it goes from there.”
Mr McDonald said voters raised a multitude of local issues during his campaign, from potholes to the time it takes for planning matters.
But one major issue not discussed during the election campaign was a controversial plan to build a battery storage scheme at the Fairways Business Park.
Military background
It has been a major talking point with many residents against the proposals
But the new councillor said: “No one on the doorstep spoke to me about that at all.”
Mr McDonald, 62, served in in the Army for 34 years and was a major in the Royal Logistics Corps before retiring in 2012.
He said his military background may serve him well as a councillor.
“We get exposure to a wide range of different thngs. That does help makes you understand people.”
Council make up
The last council by-election was held in September in Ward 7, Tain and Easter Ross, when Independent Maureen Ross won after Lib Dem councillor Sarah Rawlings stood down,
The turnout then was 34.4%.
The largest group on the council is still the SNP with 21 councillors, followed by Independents with 18 and Liberal Democrats 14.
Others are Conservatives (eight), Highland Alliance (five), Scottish Greens (four) Labour (two) Alba (one) with one vacant seat.
Conversation